This 2-month-old child presented with paraplegia. The authors observed a dermal sinus with purulent discharge in the lumbosacral area. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the spine revealed an intramedullary enhancing cavity spanning C-1 to the conus medullaris. Intraoperatively the dermal sinus was seen to infiltrate the lower end of the conus medullaris, and it also communicated directly with the central canal. The L2-5 laminae were removed, and a myelotomy was undertaken on the conus medullaris. A No. 8 French pediatric feeding tube was passed into the abscess cavity and advanced rostrally to the level of C-1. Aspiration was applied via the feeding tube to drain the intramedullary abscess of the spinal cord (IASC). Postoperatively, a 6-week course of intravenous cloxacillin was instituted. Follow-up MR imaging revealed complete resolution of abscess. When the patient was 26 months of age, examination showed complete neurological recovery. The authors describe what, to their knowledge, is the first case of a holocord IASC treated successfully by the aforementioned technique, and review of the related literature.

Our data suggest that in a patient at high risk of shunt-related infection, the serum CRP concentration can be a valuable predictor of the risk of infection. Further studies in larger samples would be worthwhile.

Reduction of traumatic unilateral locked facets of the cervical spine can be accomplished by closed or open means. If closed reduction is unsuccessful, then open reduction is indicated. The previously described techniques of open reduction of a unilateral locked facets of the cervical spine in the literature included drilling facet, forceful manipulation or using special equipment. We describe a reduction technique that uses a basic spinal curette, in a forceless manner, and it does not need facet drilling. We have successfully used this technique in 5 consecutive patients with unilateral locked facets. There have been no complications related to this technique.

No abstract